Cornelius briggs



UNTTED sTATEs NPATENT omnes.

CORNELIUS BRIGGS, OF ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

Specification of Letters PatentNo. 8,249, dated September 1, 1843.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, CORNELIUS Barcos, of Roxbury, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful `Improvements in Extension-Tables, and that the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings hereinafter referredto, form a full and eX act-specification of the same, wherein I have set forth the nature and principles of my said improvements by which they` may be distinguished from other inventions of a similar class, together with such part-s or combinations as I claim and wish to have secured to me by Letters Patent.

Cf the drawings above mentioned, Figure l, is an elevation of the table, when not extended, in which view the article has the appearance of an ordinary round or center table. Figs. 2, and 3, are, respectively an elevation and plan of the table when drawn out or extended. Fig. 4, is a plan of the table inverted and drawn out. Fig. 5, is a vertical sectionon the line A B, Fig. 3, and Fig. 6, is a longitudinal vert-ical section on t-he line C D or through the center when the table is closed.

a., a., Figs. 1, and 3, are the two semicircular tops which when closed form a center table top and which have suitable casings Z), o, Fig. 6, underneath them to receive the jointed extension framework c c o, Figs. 4, 6, which works and is constructed in the same manner as in ordinary extension tables, having double hingesor jointed plates (l, cl, &c., at the centers of each joint and single hinges e, e, &c., at each end of the same. Circular or other suitably shaped mort-ises and tenons are formed in a proper manner in each of the parts a, a, where they join and also in the extension leaves f, f, f, Figs. 2, 3, for the purpose of supporting such parts as may be arranged for use and for keeping them in their proper positions.

The upright pillar of the standard frame is divided into two parts g, g, Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and the horizontal part o-f the same is similarly divided into the parts h, L. Each half of the standard frame is properly grooved or channeled out as shown in Fig. 4, so as, (when t-he table is arranged 1n the center table form), to inclose or incase the supporting leg i. This leg is firmly fastened or secured to the center of the eXtension framework by means of an, iron or metallic pin or rod ai Figs. 5 and 6, which passes through both plates (Z, (l, of the center joint of the framework and likewise j is driven or enters vertically to a considerable depth into the leg as shown in the drawings.

The leg is drawn out with the framework and serves eifectually to support the said framework and the extension leaves which may be placed upon it. The use of this leg permanently attached to the framework as described and fitting into the grooves of the standard frame as specified constitutes one item of my improvements, as `it takes the `place of the ordinary horse or other similar support which has heretofore been placed under the center part of the extension frameseparately at considerable inconvenience.

then the ejktension part of the table is not in use and it is desired to use the table` as la center table, the two semicircular parts lwhen brought together, are firmly fastened andheld in contact by means of two spring `catches or latches 7c, Z, one being arranged underneath the upper part o-f the table as shown in Figs. 4, 5, `6, and the other beneath make use of the extension apparatus, the

`catches lo, Z, must be pressed down or unlat-ched, which is done by means of the lever bar m Figs. 1, 4, 6, which lhas an horizontal arm a Figs. 4, 5, which works above and presses down the catch le, and from this arm n a vertical rod 0 depends and passes down through a proper space in one half of the upright pillar of the standard frame as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 4, 5, and the end of which presses down the lowercatch Z; so that it will be seen that by means of one lever bar both catches are thrown out at once. This arrangement of devices takes the place of the hooks and loops commonly used for the same purpose, in working which there is much inconvenience.

`work as has to be removed and stowed-away the horizontal part 7L 7L of the standard .i frame (see Figs. 4, 6). Vhen it is desired to separate the parts a, a, of the table, and

When the table is drawn out to any re- Figs. l, 2, 4, 6. This pulleyhas a winch or handle 1, attached to it, by which it is turned, and above it, and turning with it, is a ratchet wheel s, and pawl g, with spring u behind it, which arrangement, it will be perceived, keeps the cord p j? from unwinding after it has been once wound upon the pulley and thereby as will readily be seen, the parts that are in use are kept firmly together however far the table may be extended. A bent cam lever, o, is properly arranged as seen in Figs. 2, 4L, 6, so that by turning it, the pawl g, will be thrown out of connection with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, and when this is accomplished the cord p 29 may be unwound from the pulley, and, if the table is closed, it may be extended, provided the catches or latches 7c, Z, have been unfastened as hereinbefore explained. This arrangement of the pulley, ratchet wheel &c., it will be seen, supersedes the use of the brass clamps ordinarily used on each side of the table for holding the extension leaves together, while it allows the table to be more easily and expeditiously extended and holds the parts more rigidly when extended. The projections fw, fw, under the standard frame are for the purpose of supporting the main semicircular halves when the table is extended.

I-Iaving thus described my improvements, I shall now proceed to specify such parts as I consider original and new and claim to be my invention.

l. I claim, the supporting leg firmly and permanently attached to the center joint of the extension framework o c c, by means of the pin a passing through both plates d, cl, of said joint and driven vertically into said leg as shown in the drawings, and the combination of said leg so arranged with the semicircular grooves or channels in the two halves of t-he upright parts of the standard frame, the leg serving as a sufficient support for the extension part of the table, and the grooves entirely incasing the leg when the table is closed, the whole being substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. I also claim, the spring latches or catches arranged as hereinbefore described for holding the two main halves of the table together when the table is closed, and the combination with said catches of the lever bar m, with its horizontal arm n, and vertical rod 0, for unfastening said catches when it is desired to extend the table, the whole being arranged and operating as herein above described.

8. I also claim, the combination of a pulley, with its ratchet wheel, pawl, cord, &c., arranged together as herein above described, with the extension framework, leaves, &c. and with the two main or semicircular halves of the table, the whole being constructed arranged and operating, substantially as herein before specified, and for the purposes -above set forth.

In testimony that the foregoing is a true `description of my said invention and im'- CORNELIUS BRIGGS.

Vitnesses EZRA LINCOLN, Jr., GRIDLEY I. F. BRYANT. 

